Blue spring muscari flowers. Muscari - early flowers. Growing muscari at home

photo of muscari flowers ↓

Tender spring flowers muscari resemble small bells. Collected in inflorescences, they cause tenderness and give good mood, so muscari is often used in floral arrangements and landscape design, they are known both as viper onions and as mouse hyacinth. Muscari flowering different varieties can be seen in April or May. Most of the year, this ephemeroid spends underground in the form of an onion.

ABOUT NAMES AND FEATURES OF SYSTEMATICS

Muscari is the literal translation of the Latin name of the genus Muscari. The genus belongs to the class of Monocots, Angiosperms, or Flowering. There is no unequivocal opinion on Muscari's taxonomy yet, since the genus belongs to the Hyacinthaceae family - an established classification, and to the Asparagaceae family - a late version. Both classifications are correct and are mentioned in various sources. But entry into the Lilein family is considered outdated taxonomy. The scientific names of the genus Eubotrys and Botryanthus are used as synonymous, as well as everyday ones - mouse hyacinth, viper onion, snake onion.
The Latin name Muscari was given to the plant by the English botanist F. Miller, who noted that the aroma of flowers is similar to the smell of musk. "Snake" names are derived from people's mistaken belief that vipers eat muscari leaves, so they can be found next to these flowers in spring. But all snakes, including vipers, are predators that feed exclusively on animal food. One of the reasons why snakes are observed next to mouse hyacinth curtains is sunlight. After all, plants grow in glades lit by the sun - the warmest and warmest in spring, where snakes crawl to bask.
The name "mouse hyacinth" - the plant received for its small size and similarity with hyacinth, with which they are close relatives. Another name little known to us is grape hyacinth. This is the name of Muscari flowers in Europe. The name is given for the inflorescences resembling bunches of grapes. Photo of Muscari flowers, inflorescences like bunches of grapes ↓

WHERE MOUSE HYACINTH GROWS

Muscari is a European genus whose range extends into northern Africa and western Asia. The largest number of species (more than 60%) will grow in the Mediterranean regions. Some species have been introduced to Australia and North America.
The mouse hyacinth lives in forest glades, in thickets of shrubs, slopes overgrown with grass; found in the steppe zone and in the mountains. In mountainous areas it can grow in forests or in open areas, rising up to 3000 m above sea level.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION AND FEATURES OF MUSCARI REPRODUCTION IN NATURE

The life form of the mouse hyacinth is a perennial herbaceous plant. The early spring ephemeroid spends most of the year dormant. The muscari stem is modified and is an elongated bulb up to 2 cm in diameter and up to 6 cm high, the varieties are larger in size. The bulb accumulates a stock in a short period nutrients, and spends most of the year at rest. In spring, the mouse hyacinth throws out leaves and flower stalks, which are mistakenly called stems. The total height of the plant is from 10 to 30 cm. Narrow lanceolate leaves with parallel venation, collected in a rosette. Leaf blades form grooves. Growing, the leaves usually curve in an arcuate manner.
Blue or purple Muscari flowers are collected in an inflorescence brush up to 8 cm long and resemble lilies of the valley or hyacinths. Sometimes varieties and forms of Muscari have perianths of white, pink, dark blue and even yellow shades. The upper muscari flowers are sterile and serve the function of attracting insects that pollinate the muscari. This method of pollination is called entomophily.
Muscari's perianth is simple, regular, actinomorphic, consisting of six fused petals forming a barrel. Muscari flower has six stamens with purple or blue anthers. Pistil one, ovary superior, consisting of three carpels. The fruit is a three-chamber box. One of the types of seed dispersal - myrmecochory - with the help of ants. Mouse hyacinth seeds are equipped with fat-containing appendages (elaiosomes) that attract these insects. They pick them up and take them to the anthill. Then two options are possible: the seed is lost on the road, and the seed is delivered to the anthill. Both options are good for Muscari. After all, ants eat only the elaiosome, and the seeds are thrown out undamaged.

MUSCARI IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Mouse hyacinth is widely used to decorate spring flower beds, alpine slides, rockeries, flower beds. continuous flowering. Large plantings of Muscari flowers look picturesque against the background of a green lawn or lawns. They are planted in groups in the company of small bulbous plants - crocuses, blueberries , chionodoxes and other ephemeroids - daffodils , hyacinths , dwarf and ordinary tulips, hazel grouse And . As with all spring-flowering bulbs, the ground part of Muscari after flowering becomes unattractive. Therefore, when planting in flower beds and in other flower beds, mouse hyacinth is combined with plants whose vegetation begins later, so that they can hide its wilting and form after emptiness. Phlox subulate is suitable for these purposes, skolka , astilba , hostas and some other plants.
A good option- planting Muscari flowers under crowns deciduous trees, as it develops before the appearance of foliage and is at this time one of the few decorations of the garden. In addition to its decorative qualities, mouse hyacinth at this time of the year is one of the best honey plants, attracting bees, bumblebees and other insects to the site and generously treats them with nectar. And when the foliage on the trees becomes thick and interferes with the growth of land plants, the muscari stops growing. Muscari planted by man are well naturalized in nature. A prime example landscape planting Muscari are the famous blue and white rivers of mouse hyacinth in Keukenhof park in Holland. The paintings seen are so shocking to people that as a result, many artistic images of the landscape appear, enhancing the effect of the flowering of muscari. In the photo: muscari broadleaf / Latifolium ↓

Muscari is also suitable for container growing, its fragrant flowers will decorate open terraces, patio, balconies. Muscari flowers planted in flowerpots and decorative containers go well with forget-me-nots , daisies, viola.
Muscari flowers cut into bouquets look tender and sweet. By Christmas, March 8 and other dates, Muscari is traditionally used for distillation. Various muscari, container growing ↓

GROWING MUSCARI IN OPEN GROUND

Landing site and soil
Most cultivated plants of the genus are unpretentious, so the cultivation of muscari does not cause problems. Flowers prefer to grow in well-lit areas with straight lines. sunbeams but can also live in the shade. Mouse hyacinth does not require much care and shelter for the winter, except that some varieties and species will need mulching (muscari broadleaf and muscari Oshe). In addition, Muscari flowers are undemanding to soils, they grow almost everywhere. But if the substrates are light or medium, rich in organic components and with a slightly acidic pH (5.8-6.5), they grow especially expressive and attractive. Therefore, before planting muscari in the soil, it is advisable to add compost or humus at the rate of half a bucket per square meter. m.

Planting Muscari
Plant mouse hyacinth in groups of 10 to 30 pieces. Bulbs (except for store ones) must first be treated with a fungicide, for example, Fitosporin. The distance between them during planting is on average 4-7 cm. Depth - up to 8 cm, it, like the distance, depends on the size of the bulb, for a smaller size - less, for large bulbs - more. In any case, there should be a soil layer of at least 1 cm above the bulb. Sometimes planting one hundred or two hundred plants per square meter is recommended as a scheme. m.
If planting muscari is supposed to be on a lawn, the sod is carefully removed to a depth of 8 cm on the selected area. Then the soil is loosened, seasoned with compost, removing exactly the same amount of soil to maintain a smooth lawn surface, and the bulbs are planted. The cut piece of lawn immediately after planting the muscari is returned to its place and watered well. Muscari flower bulbs ↓

Muscari care
During growth and flowering, mouse hyacinth requires a moist (but not wet) substrate. In no case should water stagnate in the soil - this leads to rotting of the bulbs. For this reason, even areas slightly flooded in spring or during rains are not suitable for planting muscari. Plants especially need moisture during the flowering period. Watering is completely stopped after two weeks. After the leaves die, the best soil for the bulbs will be semi-dry soil.
In order for the muscari to bloom and grow well, compost is added to the soil in spring. Container plants are additionally fed with liquid complex fertilizers once every 2 weeks during the growing season.
Caring for muscari also includes loosening the soil and removing weeds that can interfere with the development of the bulb.
If Muscari flowers are grown on a lawn, the lawn is not mowed in this place during the growing season. Otherwise, the Muscari bulbs will be small, and eventually disappear altogether. lawn mowing resume after complete wilting and drying of the leaves.
Muscari care is also facilitated by the fact that the plant is almost not affected by diseases and pests. Only rodents pose a threat to the bulbs, from which they are saved by repellers, mousetraps or special preparations.
The planting site of Muscari must be changed every four years. This can be done during the flowering of muscari, when the location of the bulbs is noticeable. To do this, dig out the overgrown curtains with a shovel and transplant them together with a clod of earth to a new place without damaging the roots. Be sure to water well afterwards. In places where the location of resting bulbs after flowering is well determined, mouse hyacinth is transplanted in the fall.
With careful care, faded muscari buds are removed. Indeed, on the one hand, seed ripening takes away some of the nutrients from growing bulbs, and on the other hand, self-seeding contributes to the growth of Muscari plantings, which may be undesirable in a particular case. In some varieties, the seed pods are so decorative that they should not be removed, for example, the terry variety Blue Spike.

GROWING MUSCARI IN CONTAINERS

IN last years Growing Muscari flowers in decorative containers is becoming increasingly popular. How to plant muscari in this case?
A plastic pot with a drainage hole and bulbs planted in it in the fall is added dropwise in the garden, and in the spring they are placed in a beautiful planter, or the bulbs are transplanted along with the ground without disturbing the roots. Supplement the flower arrangement with planting other spring-flowering plants, for example, plant pansies . When the flowers lose their decorative effect, they are again transferred to the ground together with the pot for the further formation of bulbs, and left in this state until next spring. Growing Muscari in a container requires more care. Indeed, in this case, the plants are more often watered and fed.

GROWING MUSCARI IN CLOSED GROUND (distillation)

Only healthy bulbs of the largest diameter are suitable for distillation, depending on the type and variety, their size can be from 6 to 10 cm in diameter. You can buy them or use your own planting material. Muscari bulbs are dug up after the death of the entire ground part, washed, treated with a fungicide (Fitosporin, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, etc.), dried at room temperature and stored until September in a ventilated and dry place at a temperature of +20 °C. Purchased bulbs are not processed, they are ready for planting. Then the storage temperature is lowered to +17 °C. The main condition for growing muscari in winter in pots and containers is the correct temperature regime. Without exposure at a temperature of + 2-5 ° C, muscari will not bloom. Depending on the desired flowering period, the time for planting the bulbs is calculated: 3-4 months of exposure in cool conditions, plus two to three weeks for distillation. Having decided on the period, the bulbs are placed in a cold place with a temperature of +9 ° C for about 35 days, they are stored in dry sawdust, cotton wool or wrapped in paper. After the temperature is lowered to +5 ° C (you can use a refrigerator). Two weeks before the end of the cold period, muscari is planted tightly in pots in moist soil, deepening the bulbs by 2 cm, the upper part should remain in the air.
The substrate for forcing muscari is similar to that used for open ground: nutritious and aerated. You can use a mixture of peat, forest soil and sand (or perlite). At the bottom of the tank, you must definitely put something for drainage (expanded clay, shards, pebbles).
After the allotted time, the pots are transferred to a warm and bright place with a temperature of about +10 ° C, after a day or three the temperature is raised to +15 ° C. When the soil dries up, it is moderately watered, without falling on the top of the bulb. Flowering should occur in two weeks, in a cool room it will last longer, but still not exceed 10 days.

VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION

Muscari can be propagated vegetatively and generatively (by seeds). The vegetative method is the planting of daughter bulbs that form on the mother bulb. It is thanks to vegetative reproduction in nature that Muscari flowers grow rapidly, occupying vast glades. It is best to plant mouse hyacinth in September. His babies separate easily. Large ones are planted on permanent place, their flowering occurs in the second year. Small bulbs are grown on a distribution bed at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other.

REPRODUCTION BY SEEDS

Most species of muscari in nature reproduce by self-sowing. In culture, this method is rarely used - with seed propagation, muscari bloom only 3-4 years after sowing. For propagation by seeds, you can use your own plants. On the best of them, the seeds are not removed, but allowed to ripen. In autumn, after harvest, the seeds are sown in open ground or in a container for seedlings. At seedling method cultivation for better germination, seed stratification is used. The seeding depth is 1 cm. Caring for Muscari seedlings will require careful attention. Weeds, soil crust, lack or excess of moisture, poor soil will have a bad effect on their growth.

POPULAR TYPES AND VARIETIES OF MUSCARI

The genus Muscari includes from 40 to 44 species: scientists cannot agree on some of them, combining two species into one. All types of muscari are decorative, but besides this, many interesting varieties have been created, their flowering periods may differ slightly: some bloom in April, others in May. There are frost-resistant species and species that require warm wintering. You can buy Muscari for every taste. Here are some varieties and species offered today to flower growers.

MUSCARI ARMENIAN

The most famous and long-cultivated species as an ornamental plant, it is also typical, Muscari armeniacum - Armenian Muscari. Sometimes it is called Muscari Colchis - M. colchicum. The homeland of the plant is Transcaucasia, Türkiye and the Balkans. There are many varieties of this species, for example:
Blue Spike / Blue Spike– late flowering (2 weeks later than most varieties), self-fertile (does not form seeds) variety. Terry blue flowers form a hyacinth-like inflorescence, very fragrant. The inflorescence consists of 150-170 flowers. Splendor is achieved due to the branching of each pedicel. Plant height up to 20 cm. During the season, the bulb forms up to 3 children. The Blue Spike variety received the International Award in 1963.
Fantasy Creation / Fantasy Creation- Terry flowers are green at the beginning of flowering, gradually acquire a bright blue color, plant height up to 20 cm.
Pink Sunrise / Pink Sunrise - new variety up to 15 cm high with a rare color of the inflorescence - pink.
Seifir- dark blue flowers with a white border, collected in dense pyramidal inflorescences, do not form seeds. Flowering is long, height - 15 cm grade, there are awards.
Duck Eyes- dense inflorescence of blue bell flowers, height up to 20 cm.
Azureum- the color of the flowers is sky blue, the height does not exceed 20 cm.
Superstar- numerous dark blue flowers with a white border form a long inflorescence.
Artist- an unblown inflorescence looks like a green grape brush, the flower petals are blue with a white border around the edge, the height is not more than 15 cm. A very fragrant modern variety of Armenian Muscari.
Christmas Perl / Christmas Pearl- an international award-winning variety, purple-blue, barrel-shaped flowers, this Muscari variety is perfect for forcing.
Peppermint / Peppermin m - pyramidal inflorescences of pale blue flowers with a white edge, muscari height 15 cm. Modern variety with long (up to a month) flowering in May, grows well, has an international award.

MUSCARI GROZDEVIDNY / Muscari Botryoides
Among the cultivated and widespread European species Muscari botryodes - grape-shaped muscari, grows mainly in the alpine and subalpine mountain belts. popular variety Album / Muscari Botryoides Album- elongated white fragrant inflorescences outwardly resemble lilies of the valley, bush height 15 cm, flowering from the end of April - an early variety. →

MUSCARI NEGLECTED / Muscari neglectum
Not inferior in breadth of distribution and Muscari neglectum - muscari neglected / unnoticed, whose range, in addition to Central Europe and the Mediterranean, includes the west and the center of Asia. In Russia, in many regions it is listed in the Red Book. It has belt-like leaves different from other species, flowers, similar to lilies of the valley, are collected in a dense brush, their color is dark blue. light on the edge

MUSCARI KLARGE / macrocarpum
View of the islands of the Aegean Sea and the adjacent coast of Turkey.
Golden Fragrance- plants of this variety do not winter in the open field, these Muscari flowers can be grown in greenhouses or in the southern regions (open ground). Yellow fragrant flowers with a brown border are formed from purple buds, plant height up to 30 cm.

MUSCARI BROAD-LEAVED / Muscari latifolium
Latifolium- under this name you can find bulbs on sale. The leaves are wide, reminiscent of tulips, the height of the bush is 15 cm, the inflorescences consist of lower purple, medium blue and upper blue flowers.

MUSCARI OSH / TUBERGENA / Muscari aucheri / tubergenianum
The species is known under the synonymous names muscari Oshe and muscari Tubergena (the latter is given in honor of the introducer of the genus). The homeland of the species is Iran. The inflorescences have a sweet aroma, the flowers are blue and blue in color, the height of the bush is up to 25 cm, it is advisable to mulch the plants for the winter. Gardeners have the opportunity to buy several varieties of Muscari Osh / Tubergen:
Blue Magic / Blue Magic- a modern variety, sky-blue flowers with a white tuft, fragrant. When distilled, one bulb forms up to 7 peduncles. →
White Magic- a variety similar to the previous one, very popular, with snow-white flowers, semi-circular inflorescences, plant height 20 cm.
Ocean Magic- modern variety, blue inflorescence, white upper flowers.

The genus Muscari includes many endemic species, for example, Muscari racemosum- m. racemose, growing in southwestern Turkey, m. light-flowered- Endemic to northern Egypt Muscari casolanum- in nature grows only in Spain, and others. At the same time, there are Muscari hybrids in culture:
Muscari hybrid Pink Sunrise- height 15 cm, flowers are pale pink.
Sometimes, under the name Muscari, you can buy bulbs of representatives of a different kind, for example,
Muscari crested / Muscari comosum Plumozum- Terry lilac flowers with graceful thin perianths are located on highly branched stems, plant height up to 20 cm, at the end of flowering the inflorescence stretches up to 70 cm. This classification is outdated, now the species is assigned to the genus Leopoldiya (Leopoldiya).

Other names for the Muscari flower that can be found in reference books are mouse hyacinth or viper onion. In previous botanical classifications, this plant was assigned to the Liliaceae or Hyacinth family. In the modern edition of KAVB, this culture is included in the Asparagus family. At the end of 2014, 44 species of this crop were officially registered, now there are more than 50 of them, and new ones are discovered every year. This is a wonderful primrose, widely used in landscape design. With the help of muscari, you can compose any floral arrangements.

They are distributed mainly in the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and Central Asia, in the Crimea and the Caucasus (here they grow everywhere - in the steppes and foothills of the Caucasus, in all regions of the Transcaucasus, in the highlands of the Caucasus), and in North America. All of them are decorative and are of interest for introduction into culture.

Muscari- this is a perennial miniature plant with a few (2-6), narrow (0.3-0.6 cm wide), short (10-16 cm long), basal linear leaves and a low leafless peduncle, 10-25 cm high, bearing inflorescence, shaped like an ear, 2-8 cm long.

Inflorescence- racemose, with densely collected, numerous (up to 70 or more), miniature flowers. The flowers are small, 0.4-0.6 cm long, 0.4 cm in diameter, with fused perianth lobes. According to the description, each Muscari flower resembles a barrel. All of them are cylindrical, tubular, with or without interception at the pharynx, with a color of white, yellow, blue, blue in various tonalities, and have a pleasant delicate smell.

See what blooming muscari look like in the garden:

Fetus- box. Seeds are rounded, black, wrinkled. Bulb - perennial, gradually growing, ovoid, 15-35 cm long and 0.8-2.5 cm in diameter.

One bulb can produce several flower stalks.

Muscari- an ephemeroid plant that vegetates in spring, blooms in late spring - early summer and has a dormant period in summer and winter. Plants are unpretentious and winter-hardy.

14 species are used in horticulture, and among them- Armenian muscari, racemose, grape-shaped, pale, broad-leaved, large-fruited.

Mostly natural species and varieties are cultivated, however, there are bred forms and numerous varieties, such as: "Early Giant" - blue flower, early variety, especially good for forcing; "Kenteb" - blue, strongly smelling, late; "Heavenly Blue" - blue, "Album" and "Perlen" - white; "Arnott" - with a pinkish tint; "Blue Spike" - pale blue, terry with a complex 2-3 branched brush; "White Beauty" - white-pink; "Fantasy Kritsion" - terry with a greenish- yellow flowers; "Saffir" - a dark blue flower with a white edge.

These photos show the Muscari flower varieties described above:

How Muscari is used in garden landscape design (with photo)

Muscari is used in garden landscaping as a magnificent border, ground cover plant for decorating various forms of flower beds on its own or in combination with other spring-flowering plants, such as tulips, daffodils, primroses.

They are great in landscape gardening on lawns or under trees, in outdoor containers, flowerpots, as well as in rock gardens, rocky gardens. It is also noteworthy that they can be cultivated in one place for 5-6 years.

See how beautiful muscari is in the landscape design of the garden in these photos:

This is an excellent cut crop, which is an excellent material for making miniature compositions. Put into the water, in the arrangement of muscari, they retain their decorative effect for 6-10 days. To do this, it is better to cut the inflorescences when only the first flowers have opened; before arranging, it should be kept in water for 2-8 hours.

Muscari is also great as a forcing, pot culture. Plants bloom within 12-20 days, and the timing winter distillation may be different.

How to grow muscari

Muscari can be grown both in partial shade and in sunny places, on normal, cultivated soils, preferably neutral with a high humus content and well aerated, without stagnant water.

Bulbs are planted in autumn to a depth of 6-8 cm with a distance of 15 cm between them, and small ones closer. During the growing season, plants are fed three times: on shoots, then every 3 weeks. A mixture of fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a ratio of 1:2:3) is applied - 40-50 g/m2. After planting muscari, during the care of plants in the open field, regular loosening and control of weeds, pests and diseases are carried out. The soil must be moist.

Almost all types of muscari reproduce well both by seeds and vegetatively - by bulbs, children. Seedlings bloom in the 2-3rd year. In order for the bulbs to be suitable for forcing, they, like one-year daughter bulbs, should be grown for 2-3 years.

These photos show the main agricultural practices when planting and caring for muscari in the garden:

Even with proper cultivation muscari in the open field affects diseases and pests.

The root onion mite damages the bulbs.

Control measures. Proper crop rotation, the use of healthy bulbs, watering the soil during the growing season with horn, dressing the bulbs before planting with karbofos.

Rust. Brown pustules on light spots appear on the leaves on both sides.

Control measures. Compliance with crop rotations, the use of phosphorus-potassium fertilizing, spraying with alto, ditan M-45, bayleton.

Penicillosis. The whole plant is affected, which rots, becoming covered with a green bloom. Often found during forcing.

Control measures. Etching of TMTD bulbs, protection from mechanical damage, spraying with Bordeaux liquid or its substitutes.

Sclerotinia- the leaves turn yellow, the bulbs rot. Grows in moist, acidic soils.

Control measures. Deep digging of the soil, liming, phytocleaning, spraying of plants during the growing season with foundationazole, topsin-M.

Mosaic. It affects the Muscari mosaic virus, manifesting itself as light green stripes on the leaves.

Control measures. Phytocleaning, vector control.

Growing muscari at home

For growing muscari at home, dug and peeled bulbs are prepared for distillation as follows. Initially, in July, they are stored at a temperature of 23 ° C, from August to mid-September - at 20 ° C, and later - at 17 ° C, later, in October or November, based on the required forcing time, the bulbs are planted in pots and stored already at a temperature of 4-8°C for 12 weeks.

A month before the required flowering period (20-30 days), already rooted and beginning to germinate plants are transferred to a bright room with an air temperature of 10-12 ° C, balconies and loggias are suitable for this. flowering plants can be transferred to warmer conditions, but it should be remembered that high temperatures shorten the flowering time.

The substrate for planting and caring for muscari at home should be moisture-absorbing and breathable. When forcing requires regular watering. After the leaves die, the bulbs are dug up and stored.

Many flower growers are sure that muscari do not need care at all: they tolerate winter and heat well, they reproduce themselves, they rarely get sick ... Muscari are really resistant to diseases and pests, and the secret of such a strong plant immunity is ... its toxicity! Only aphids occasionally manage to overcome this protective barrier.
So, our attention to a beautiful flower is still necessary. And it even pleases, because who does not want to feel their involvement in this piercing blue beauty?

Should I prune muscari after flowering?
How and when to feed the plant so that its bulbs overwinter well?
When should you stop watering Muscari?

Let's figure it out together.

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Planting and caring for Muscari

Landing: autumn, in October.
Bloom: spring.
Lighting: bright sunlight, partial shade.
The soil: any.
Watering: if the winter was snowy or the spring was wet, then watering is not needed at all.
Top dressing: when digging the site, humus or compost is added at the rate of 5 kg per m².
Reproduction: self-sowing and vegetative: separating the children from the mother bulb and planting them in the ground.
Pests: aphids, spider mites.
Diseases: onion yellow dwarf and cucumber mosaic viruses.

Muscari flowers - description

Muscari bulbs are ovoid, with light outer scales, 1.5-3.5 cm long and up to 2 cm in diameter. Leaves - basal, linear, up to 17 cm long and up to six pieces - appear in spring, but may appear again in autumn . Muscari grow up to 30 cm in height. Their peduncle is leafless, the flowers have cylindrical, barrel-shaped or tubular perianths, consisting of six fused petals, bent along the edge. Color - from white to dark blue, length - about 0.5 cm and the same in diameter. The flowers are collected in dense inflorescences, racemose or apical, up to 8 cm long. The fruit is a winged, three-celled box, spherical or heart-shaped, with small wrinkled black seeds, the germination of which lasts only for a year. This genus has two significant advantages: almost all types are decorative and, in addition, muscari are completely unpretentious.

Growing muscari in the garden

Muscari is very popular in floriculture. They look great both in rock gardens and in decorative garden vases, and undersized varieties are successfully used for borders. Muscari are very beautiful in multi-tiered flower beds, in composition with other spring flowers: against the background of densely growing muscari, lilac- of blue color islands of taller early-flowering tulips or daffodils look very impressive. The combination of blue muscari with orange hazel grouse is magnificent.

In the photo: Pink Muscari

Like all early spring flowers, muscari bloom when there are no leaves on the trees and shrubs yet, so they will have enough light in any case. Muscari grows in one place for several years, so plant them next to perennials, which you also will not replant every year. The soil is best loose, fertile and permeable. It is desirable that the site be on a hill and be protected from strong winds.

Planting Muscari

When to plant Muscari

plant muscari better in autumn until the end of October. They are planted in groups as soon as the muscari bulbs are dug out, which have been growing in one place for five years or more. If you buy them in a store, carefully inspect the shoots: they must be healthy. Sometimes in April, nurseries sell seedlings of already flowering muscari in boxes, and the sellers claim that they can be planted immediately in the ground. Try it.

How to plant muscari

Before planting, inspect the bulbs and remove darkened and damaged ones. Disinfect the bulbs for prevention: first, pickle them for half an hour in a two percent solution of Karbofos, then the same amount in a one percent solution of potassium permanganate. The day before planting the muscari, water the prepared wells well, soaking through the entire layer of soil. Before planting, add river sand to each hole for drainage. If the bulbs are large, they are immersed in the ground by 7 cm, and the distance between them is 5-10 cm. Small bulbs are deepened by 3 cm, and the gap between the bulbs is 2-3 cm.

How to care for muscari in the garden

Caring for Muscari is not difficult: this is a training plant for a beginner grower. IN watering muscari need only at the very beginning of the growing season, but, as a rule, at this time the soil is still wet after the snow melts or spring rains. And the dormant period does not require soil moisture. If there was no snow in winter, and the spring turned out to be dry, then there is a need for regular watering.

In the photo: Dense plantings of muscari

If the soil on the site is not too fertile, this can be corrected by fertilizing with organic fertilizers. Humus or compost can fertilize the soil in the fall when digging: for each square meter 5 kilograms of fertilizer are consumed. Subject to the regularity of such autumn digging with organic matter, muscari can grow in one area for up to ten years. But then you have to plant them anyway.

Muscari flowering

Muscari blooms a little longer than three weeks, and special care does not require at this time, just loosen the soil slightly after watering, being careful not to damage the bulb, remove weeds and remove wilted flowers if they spoil the look of your flower bed. If over the years the quality of the flowers has deteriorated, then it is time to transplant the muscari.

We grow hyacinths in the garden - do not confuse these flowers

Muscari transplant

Muscari vegetative propagation by separating the babies from the mother bulb is carried out, as a rule, during the autumn digging, somewhere from mid to late October. When to transplant muscari, we already wrote - after 5-6 years of growth in one area, although when it is really time to dig up muscari, the look of your flower bed will tell you. Muscari bulbs are removed from the ground, the children are separated from the mother bulb (there can be many, up to 30 pieces) and seated in the way that has already been written about above.

Muscari breeding

In addition to the vegetative method, muscari reproduce well by self-sowing, therefore, in order to prevent uncontrolled growth of the site, it is necessary to cut off the flower stalks after flowering, leaving only a few for the seeds to ripen. The collected ripe seeds, which can only sprout during the year, are sown in the ground in the fall to a depth of 1-2 cm. Next spring, thin strings of seedlings will let you know that the process of bulb formation has begun. Such a plant will bloom in 2-3 years.

In the photo: Blue Muscari

Muscari pests and diseases

Most often, muscari suffer from mosaic, which is caused by the onion yellow dwarf virus. Symptoms: green mosaic on the leaves, shortened flower arrow, narrowing of the leaves and inhibition of the growth of the diseased specimen. Sometimes the plant becomes infected with a common cucumber mosaic, which is expressed in pale green strokes and spots on deformed leaves. These viruses are transmitted by aphids and, once in the bulb, are stored in it. Therefore, diseased specimens must be dug up and burned so that the infection does not spread to other plants.

There is no cure for viral diseases yet, so fight the peddler - aphids, destroy it as soon as it appears on the plants. The method is simple and has long been known: dilute 2 teaspoons liquid soap(Gala, Fairy) in two glasses of water and spray the plants with the solution.

Sometimes Muscari gets in trouble with the spider mite. In the fight against it, use drugs of the avermectin group (Vertimek, Aktofit, Fitoverm) strictly according to the instructions at an air temperature of 18 ºC.

Muscari after flowering

Many flower growers believe that you don’t need to take care of Muscari at all: they don’t get sick, they reproduce themselves, and they are quite winter-hardy. But experience teaches that a good result always requires effort. As soon as the muscari fade, you need to carefully remove the flower stalks and feed it with liquid potassium-phosphorus fertilizer, which will help the bulbs to winter well. Gradually reduce watering until the leaves of the plant turn yellow and wither, and once this process is complete, do not water the plant again.

How best to plant daffodils - in detail

Autumn is the time for digging the site and transplanting muscari that have reached the age of five. If your muscari is still too young to be divided and transplanted, simply remove the yellowed leaves from the area. Young plantings of muscari, especially if they grow on it next to other bulbs, must be mulched with peat for the winter.

In the photo: Pink Muscari

Storing muscari bulbs

Muscari - perennials Moreover, they can grow in one place up to ten years in a row. But if for some reason you decide to dig up the bulbs and store them indoors, then remember the following rules:

it is necessary to dig up the bulbs only when the leaves of the plants begin to dry;
dug out bulbs need to be dried for several days, then put in peat or wet clean sand;
once a week, inspect and feel the bulbs and immediately remove rotten, damaged or soft ones;
humidity in the storage is preferably 70%, temperature - 17 ºC.

But let us recall again: it is best to plant muscari in the fall, during the digging of the site, at the same time it is convenient to separate the children from the mother bulbs with subsequent seating, so it makes no sense to store the muscari bulbs indoors until spring.

Types and varieties of Muscari

Among the species, winter-hardy Armenian Muscari, or Colchis, is most often cultivated, which blooms in late spring for three weeks. It is he who is called "mouse hyacinth". The upper flowers in its inflorescences are sterile and have a lighter shade than the lower ones, dark blue with a white border. Muscari Armenian exudes a pleasant aroma. The most popular varieties are:

muscari terry blue spike- exceptionally beautiful due to the many-flowered (up to 170 flowers in a cluster-shaped inflorescence), unpretentious, can be used for cutting.
Christmas Pearl- with very beautiful purple flowers;
Fantasy Creation- very beautiful due to the combination of blue and blue-green hues.

In the photo: Armenian Muscari (Muscari armeniacum)

Muscari grape-shaped (Muscari botryoides)

Muscari grape species is found in the Alpine belt of Southern and Central Europe, is one of the most sought after, in culture since 1576. The flowers of the grape-shaped are smaller than those of the Armenian. In addition to varieties of the usual blue hue, there are

Muscari or, as it is called, mouse hyacinth and viper onion, is found in nature on the edge of the forest, among shrubs, on the slopes of the Alpine mountains. This is one of the first spring flowers that appears after the snow melts. A feature of Muscari is a pleasant persistent aroma and bright colors. This article is all about the early muscari- planting and caring for them in the open field, reproduction, diseases, popular varieties, use in landscape design.

It's gentle beautiful flower, small size and bright colors make it a universal decoration for any garden plot, flower beds and park.

Muscari - landing and care

Gardeners know more than 60 varieties of muscari, they all have similar characteristics:

class: bulbous perennial, asparagus family, previously referred to the hyacinth family;
height: up to 15-30 cm;
planting time depends on the region, more often in autumn, late September - October;
flowering time: April - May;
location: sun, partial shade;
flower size: up to 0.5 cm, inflorescences 3-5 cm;
frost resistance is high, tolerates winter with frosts down to -35 degrees.

Mouse hyacinth is popular in many climatic zones, acclimatizes well and does not require special care.

Popular plant varieties

Popular varieties differ in color and size, as well as the duration and timing of flowering.

blue spike

Muscari Armenian Blue Spike tolerates shade well, but an ideal planting site would be a sunny open area, where it will bloom as early as April. The flowering period is 20-25 days, the inflorescences are bright blue, up to 3 cm. Blue Spike reaches a height of 15-20 cm and looks good next to other perennials.

blue spike

Pink Sunrise

Armenian Pink Sunrise is distinguished by delicate flowers of a pale pink hue, they are collected in a lush, almost spherical inflorescence up to 8 cm. The height of the peduncle is 30 cm, the flowering period is April - May. The leaves are linear, small, dark green.

big smile

Muscari Armenian Big Smile has an expressive large (up to 12 cm) inflorescence, muted blue. The flowers are adorned with a white border. Big Smile grows up to 25 cm, blooms in spring, April-May.

The Cupido variety is different small size(10-15 cm) and inflorescences of a pale blue hue. Favorably looks on the lit lawns, shading the fresh greens of other perennials. ornamental plants.

Fantasy creation

Terry Fantasy Crash is tall, up to 25 cm, a variety with luxurious light blue flowers. A dense terry inflorescence appears at the end of May and has a greenish tint at first.

dark eyes

The Dark Eaz variety stands out against the green carpet with its deep blue flowers with a white border around the edge. Peduncle height up to 20 cm, flowering period from April to May.

Muscari pallens

Muscari Pale is a delicate species with white, pale pink cluster-shaped inflorescences. Plant height up to 20 cm, flowering period - May.

The variety of varieties and types of mouse hyacinth allows gardeners to choose options suitable for outdoor cultivation and landscape decoration.

Viper onions in nature reproduce by seeds, but among gardeners, the favorite planting method is bulbous. At the same time, the decorative qualities of the perennial are preserved, it is less susceptible to diseases and resistant to pests. When growing flowers from seeds, flowering occurs after three years, while varieties grown from bulbs bloom in the first spring.

Propagation with bulbs

Muscari - bulbous, so the best way to breed is vegetative propagation of bulbs. When buying bulbs, pay attention to them appearance, rejecting darkened, moldy or damaged. Before planting, the material is treated with a fungicide or soaked in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. This prevents the damage of the bulbs by the fungus and various pests.

The optimal time for planting bulbs is in the fall, before the first serious cold weather. It is possible to plant material in early spring when the soil warms up to 3-5 degrees. The earth is preliminarily dug up, organic fertilizers (compost, humus) are applied.

Muscari - planting bulbs in autumn

Wells up to 7 cm deep should be thoroughly shed, then a drainage layer is laid on the bottom. Sand, expanded clay, small pebbles with the addition of earth are used as drainage. The diameter of the holes and their distance depend on the variety chosen by the gardener: the holes for small species are at a distance of 4 cm from each other, when planting large planting material, the gap is increased to 10 cm.

Bulbs are planted in prepared holes, often in groups of 10-30, depending on the design. The soil layer above the planting is 2-3 cm, it is shed with warm water. Care must be taken, as viper onion bulbs are poisonous, so all work is done with gloves.

Some varieties of muscari, such as Oshé or broadleaf, require mulching at the root neck. Winters perennial without shelter, under the snow. In rare cases, you can use spruce branches, sawdust, a special film as a heater.

Growing mouse hyacinth from seeds is a rather complicated process and more often this method of reproduction is used by experienced gardeners and breeders.

Mature seeds are placed in October in the refrigerator for stratification, after wrapping with a damp cloth and placing in a bag. In February, the seed is planted in special pots to a depth of 1 cm, the soil is first loosened and moistened.

Seedlings require quality care: necessary moderate watering, but at the same time you need to monitor the moisture content of the soil and prevent rotting of the roots. Upper layer carefully loosen, remove weeds. In March - April, when the seedlings have sprouted, they are gradually accustomed to outdoor conditions, taking seedlings to the site.

Planting seedlings in open ground is carried out in early April (in the southern regions) or in April-May (if middle lane). Optimal for planting will be slightly acidic soil, loose, moist.

Mouse hyacinth is an unpretentious plant, but in order to preserve the decorative properties and brightness of the inflorescences, it is necessary to provide it with comfortable conditions.

Features of care

Watering is moderate, excessive dampness should not be allowed. The soil should always remain moist, if the soil is clay, drainage should be used. Muscari planting site - open areas or light penumbra, if the leaves begin to lean towards the ground, watering can be increased.

During the season, it is necessary to feed the plant at least 3 - 5 times, you can use organic fertilizers. The first top dressing is carried out in April, the second at the end of the flowering period, and during the entire vegetative period, the soil is fertilized 2 to 3 more times. In autumn, after the leaves have completely withered, mineral potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are used.

Muscari is transplanted every 4 years, this allows you to rejuvenate the plant and gives new planting material. Overgrown bushes are transplanted along with a clod of earth, carefully taken on a shovel.

The main principle of care is to maintain the looseness and breathability of the soil. Careful weeding and loosening of the topsoil is necessary, mulch can be used.

At the end of flowering, it is desirable to cut the flower stalks, this gives the plant a decorative look and prevents the seeds from ripening and self-sowing.

Diseases and pests

Viper onions are susceptible to attack by aphids, which can greatly harm the plant. The pest infects flowers with a mosaic or onion yellow dwarf virus; there are no drugs that can save a diseased plant.

As a preventive measure, a soap solution, urea and an avermectyl group are used. Timely processing repels aphids and saves the plant.

Mouse hyacinth, due to its miniature size and early dates flowering, often used in mixboards and group plantings, combining with other perennials.

Muscari is also used in the design of rockeries, as colorful borders and vibrant flowering carpets. By combining flowers with different flowering periods, they achieve the effect of a blooming garden throughout the summer, the decorative foliage of late perennials will hide the fading sprouts of the viper onion, which fades in May-June.

Muscari blends harmoniously with daffodils and tulips, some varieties of petunias, snapdragons, and salvia will be a good company for him. The main thing to remember is that mouse hyacinth should be planted in front of the group tall plants, in the foreground, otherwise it simply won't be visible.

Muscari flowers photo gallery

Muscari (mouse hyacinth, viper onion, cuckoo's tears) is a low (up to 30 cm) small-bulbous plant resembling a miniature hyacinth, one of the first to bloom in gardens at the end of March. The duration of flowering (up to 3 weeks) depends on the species, growing location and weather conditions. The leaves that appear before the flowers are relatively wide at the base, collected in 2-6 pieces. into the ground beam. The erect peduncles are crowned with small inflorescences consisting of small, round, barrel-shaped bells of white, pale yellow, blue, intense blue, lilac or purple. The fruit is an angular or spherical capsule full of black, wrinkled seeds.
Growing and reproduction. Muscari is a sun-loving culture, but able to withstand light partial shade. The soil should be loose, fertile, loamy, well-drained and not too wet. For digging, it is desirable to add humus at the rate of 5 kg / m2, and in the spring, on the last snow, apply full mineral fertilizer. Plants do not like to get wet, and they need moisture only at the beginning of growth. Transplantation is carried out when the bush grows strongly, usually it is done after 3 years.

Like all bulbs, muscari can be propagated by seeds that are sown in prepared soil immediately after harvest (plants bloom after 3 years), and by dividing bulb nests. Daughter bulbs immediately after digging (end of August - October) are planted to a depth of 8 cm at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Shelter for the winter only in the first year of planting. Mouse hyacinth looks most impressive not in sparse, but in dense plantings. It can be placed in any corner of the garden, even under fruit (but not under evergreen) trees. Plants are planted in rockeries, on discounts, in borders, rock gardens, in groups along the paths. When placed on lawns, the area is not cut until the leaves of the muscari die off.

Narcissus
Narcissus is a real decoration spring garden, one of the most interesting ornamental plants, whose flowering, thanks to the correct selection of varieties and species, can last from April to early June. Flowers erect or drooping, large, often fragrant, solitary or in racemes. Leaves are basal, linear, flat. The flower-bearing stem, wrapped at the base with a membranous sheath, reaches a height of 30-50 cm. The fruit is a fleshy tricuspid box.
The genus includes 60 species, most often N. bouquet, N. poetic (white), N. false (yellow), N. narrow-leaved, N. cyclamen-shaped, etc. are most often cultivated in gardens. As a result of their hybridization, more than 15 thousand varieties have been created that differ in terms flowering, plant height, structure, shape and color of flowers. According to the international classification, daffodils are usually divided into 12 groups.

2. Large-crowned - a group that includes a wide variety of plants 30-60 cm high. Flowers solitary, with a bowl (tube over one third, but not more than the length of the perianth lobes). Varieties: Ice Follis, Allafril. last from April to early June. Flowers erect or drooping, large, often fragrant, solitary or in racemes. Leaves are basal, linear, flat. The flower-bearing stem, wrapped at the base with a membranous sheath, reaches a height of 30-50 cm. The fruit is a fleshy tricuspid box.
The genus includes 60 species, most often cultivated in gardens N. bouquet, N. poetic (white), N. false (yellow), N. narrow-leaved, N. cyclamen-shaped. As a result of their hybridization, more than 15 thousand varieties have been created, differing in flowering time, plant height, structure, shape and color of flowers. According to the international classification, daffodils are usually divided into 12 groups.
1. Tubular - plants with single fragrant flowers up to 9.5 cm in diameter, in the center an elongated growth in the form of a tube. Peduncle 15 to 40 cm tall. The best varieties: Amelia Farmer, Bird of Doning, Beerscheba (early), Golden Harvest (very early, with golden yellow flowers), Gin and Lime, Lorikit, Oklahoma, Prosperiti, Pink Silk, Rembrandt (early, with yellow flowers). Suare, White Triumphant, White Star, Royal Scepter, Flower Carpet, Forsyth.
2. Large-crowned - a group that includes a wide variety of plants 30-60 cm high. Flowers solitary, with a bowl (tube over one third, but not more than the length of the perianth lobes). Varieties: Ice Follis, Allafril. Select, Pink Fancy, Professor Einstein (late, white flowers with orange chalice), Rad Raskel, Rosie Sunrise, Salmon Trout, Siam Champagne, Smiling Maestro, Smaragd, Snowfrils, Soldier Brave, Spectacular, Tibet, Top Notch, White Pearl, White Plum, Wild Rose, Walt Disney, Fireman, Sha-lome, Champagne Magnum, Chiffon, Erlirose.
3. Small-crowned - single flowers, crown does not exceed V3 length of tepals. The height of the peduncle is 30-45 cm. Varieties: Barret Browning (white flowers with an orange cup), Burma (medium, flowers yellow), Ganevey, Queen of Narcissus, Limrik, Luski Mile, Matapan, Merlin, Moonfire, Snow Magic, Wings of Song , First Farmer, China White, Edward Buhston (early, with yellow flowers), Angel (late, white flowers).
4. Terry - plants with flowers without a crown, but with big amount petals. The flowers are fragrant, rather large (up to 7 cm in diameter). Height 15-45 cm. Varieties: Acropolis, Alabaster, Bridal Crown, Mushroom, Daphne, Ing-loscombe, Indian Chief, Candida, Mary Copland, Odyssey, Pink Champagne, Peach Pink, Snowball, Texas, White Lion, White Village, Shnouball , Encore, Epricot Sandi, Ephebl.
5. Triandrus - plants with petals bent back and a cup-shaped crown. Height 15-30 cm. The best varieties: Akera, Whisper, Dream of Beauty, Ripling Waters, Waist, Fire Cup.
6. Cyclamenoid - plants that are characterized by strongly bent back tepals and a narrow long tube. Varieties: Andalusia, Baby Doll, Lemon Silk, Much Sunshine, Tete-a-tete, Februa Gold, Februa Silver.
7. Jonquillian - late blooming plants with a few small, very fragrant flowers.
The height of the peduncle is 15-45 cm, the length of the tube is y2 equal to the length of the perianth lobes. Varieties: Bibbisoxer, Gold Chain, Nethercote, Oregon Gold, Trevian.
8. Tacetoid - plants with 2-12 medium-sized flowers on one peduncle, with a strong aroma. Varieties: Bella Donna, Gregford, Geranium, Rediant Jam, Scarlet Jam.
9. Poetic - plants with fragrant single flowers with white petals and a flat, bright crown (tube) in the center of the flower. Height over 50 cm. Varieties: Ak-teya (medium, flowers with a yellow bowl). Cantabile (late, greenish cup).
10. Wild-growing - natural hybrids and daffodils growing in natural conditions. About 60 species.
11. Cut-crown (orchid) - daffodils, in which the crown (tube) consists of separate lobes (often they are corrugated), shaped like frills, ruffles, stars. Varieties: Ice Crystal, Arena, Baccarat, Boston Beau-teakol, Gold Collar, Golden Orchid, Canasta, Cassata, King Size, Colororange, Congress, Madama Butterfly, Mondragon, Nippon, Orangery, Pallet, Giovanni Palm, Pomeranse, Split, Tiritomba , Tricole, Flyer, Chantarel.
12. All others - types and forms that are not included in their characteristics in any of the previous sections.
Growing and reproduction. Daffodils are best planted in an open sunny or slightly shaded area, protected from strong winds. Plants can grow on all (except calcareous) soils, require good moisture, but do not tolerate waterlogging, so drainage is carried out in the lowlands. To neutralize acidity, 150-200 g/m2 of chalk (400-800 g/m2 of lime or 200-300 g/m2 of dolomite flour) is added to the soil. On rocky hills, clay is embedded in light soil.
Daffodils are propagated by seeds and vegetatively by daughter bulbs. Children are planted in September-October in soil with a high content of rotted manure and well seasoned with complete mineral fertilizer. Planting depth - 12 cm, distance between plants - 20 cm. Daffodils grow in one place for 4 years, after which they are transplanted. Plants do not require additional watering, but they need moisture during the dry season. For the winter, it is advisable to cover with dry leaves, peat or mulch. Daffodils are combined with other early spring crops - crocuses, forget-me-nots, primroses. Plants look good both in group plantings and in soliter - on lawns, alpine slides, discounts, as well as around ponds and decorative pools. Blooming daffodils look spectacular against the background of dark firs, in group plantings between trees and shrubs.

Daffodils often suffer from the onion (narcissus) fly. If the plants are affected, they do not bloom and die. It is quite difficult to fight the pest, so when buying planting material, you need to carefully examine it. Healthy bulbs are firm to the touch, without rounded holes, especially in the area of the bottom, since it is in them that the larvae deposited by the fly can be found.

Muscari got its name for a specific smell - a strong aroma of musk. In decorative floriculture, 20 species are cultivated, of which the most popular are Armenian M. (Fantasy Creation varieties - double, greenish-yellow flowers, Plumorosa - feathery pink inflorescences, Saffier - dark blue flowers with a white edge, M. Azerbaijani, M. blue ( Album cultivar - a dwarf form with white flowers), M. racemose, M. grape-shaped, M. Sovica, M. broad-leaved. In M. grape-shaped variety Blue Spike, the flowers are blue, double, instead of the usual 6 petals there are more than 12, the whole inflorescence looks like lilac branch.